20 degrees Celsius is equal to 293.15 kelvin.
Table of Contents
To convert Celsius to kelvin, you add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature because kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15°C. So, adding 273.15 shifts the Celsius value to the kelvin scale.
Conversion Tool
Result in kelvin:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert Celsius (c) to kelvin (K) is:
K = C + 273.15
This works because kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is -273.15 degrees Celsius. The Celsius scale counts from the freezing point of water (0°C), so adding 273.15 shifts the temperature value to the kelvin scale. The two scales have the same size degree units, only their zero points vary.
Example calculation:
- Given temperature: 20°C
- Add 273.15: 20 + 273.15 = 293.15 K
- So, 20°C equals 293.15 kelvin.
Conversion Example
- Example 1: Convert 0°C to kelvin
- Start with 0°C
- Add 273.15: 0 + 273.15 = 273.15 K
- 0°C equals 273.15 kelvin
- Example 2: Convert -10°C to kelvin
- Start with -10°C
- Add 273.15: -10 + 273.15 = 263.15 K
- -10°C equals 263.15 kelvin
- Example 3: Convert 37°C to kelvin
- Start with 37°C
- Add 273.15: 37 + 273.15 = 310.15 K
- 37°C equals 310.15 kelvin
- Example 4: Convert 100°C to kelvin
- Start with 100°C
- Add 273.15: 100 + 273.15 = 373.15 K
- 100°C equals 373.15 kelvin
- Example 5: Convert -273.15°C to kelvin
- Start with -273.15°C
- Add 273.15: -273.15 + 273.15 = 0 K
- -273.15°C equals 0 kelvin, which is absolute zero
Conversion Chart
| Celsius (°C) | Kelvin (K) |
|---|---|
| -5.0 | 268.15 |
| 0.0 | 273.15 |
| 5.0 | 278.15 |
| 10.0 | 283.15 |
| 15.0 | 288.15 |
| 20.0 | 293.15 |
| 25.0 | 298.15 |
| 30.0 | 303.15 |
| 35.0 | 308.15 |
| 40.0 | 313.15 |
| 45.0 | 318.15 |
The chart shows various Celsius temperatures with their equivalent kelvin values. To find a kelvin temperature, locate the Celsius value and read the corresponding kelvin value next to it. This helps quick conversions without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How do I convert 20 degrees Celsius into kelvin accurately?
- What is 20°C in kelvin temperature scale?
- Is 20 Celsius equal to 293 kelvin or more?
- How many kelvin are in 20 degrees Celsius?
- Why do you add 273.15 to convert 20°C to kelvin?
- What temperature in kelvin corresponds to 20 Celsius?
- Can 20 Celsius be converted directly to kelvin without a formula?
Conversion Definitions
Celsius (°C): Celsius is a temperature scale used around the world where 0 degrees marks the freezing point of water and 100 degrees marks its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. It is widely used in science, weather forecasts, and everyday temperature measurement.
Kelvin (K): Kelvin is the absolute temperature scale used in physics and engineering, starting at absolute zero where particles have minimum thermal motion. Unlike Celsius, kelvin has no negative numbers and uses the same increment size as Celsius, but shifted by 273.15 degrees.
Conversion FAQs
Why add exactly 273.15 to convert Celsius to kelvin?
The value 273.15 represents the difference between absolute zero and the freezing point of water in Celsius. Adding this number shifts the Celsius scale so that 0 K equals absolute zero, the coldest possible temperature. The decimal precision accounts for scientific accuracy.
Can kelvin temperatures be negative like Celsius?
No, kelvin scale starts at absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature. Since no temperature can go below absolute zero, kelvin values can never be negative. Celsius, on the other hand, can be below zero because it sets zero at water’s freezing point.
Is converting Celsius to kelvin the same as converting to Fahrenheit?
No, converting Celsius to kelvin is a simple addition of 273.15 because both scales use the same size degrees. Fahrenheit uses a different scale with different zero point and degree size, so its conversion requires a different formula involving multiplication and addition.
Does this conversion work for negative Celsius values?
Yes, the formula works for all Celsius values, including negatives. For example, -50°C converts to 223.15 K by adding 273.15. Since kelvin cannot be negative, any Celsius temperature above absolute zero will have a positive kelvin equivalent.
Why is kelvin preferred in scientific temperature measurements?
Kelvin is preferred because it starts at absolute zero, allowing scientists to measure temperatures based on fundamental physical properties. It avoids negative temperatures and simplifies thermodynamic equations, making it essential for physics and chemistry calculations.